Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2

Thoughts from Alex Morse

Dive Deeper

Armor of God- Swipe
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“...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2  

Armor of God- Behind the Scenes
Slide

What are we looking to? The writer of Hebrews tells us in the preceding verse to endure the race set before us, looking to Jesus. And why Jesus? Because He is the founder and perfecter of our faith. Please grasp this nugget of truth: your faith is due to Jesus, and He is the One who maintains it with the goal of perfection. Jesus can claim this ground because He willingly endured the cross, carried humanity’s shame, resurrected bodily, and now sits as the rightful heir beside His Father, the Creator of the Universe

Slide

We all have a race set before us and the writer exhorts us to run it with endurance suggesting this one is a marathon. I have never run a marathon but the steady grind, aching muscles, lack of water and gasping for air are a great picture of what life can feel like sometimes. The finish line can seem a long way off. Verse 3 reminds us to consider Jesus who endured hostility and hatred, so we “may not grow weary”. Jesus is present, taking every step with us, with the goal of getting us to the finish line.

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Jesus is the One who continually molds, upholds, and hones our faith. It reminds me of a sword, drawn from the oven and then shaped into the weapon the forger desires. Yet it isn’t complete until the final stage of honing the edge. The edge must be sharpened and honed frequently to keep its effectiveness and may require the forger’s touch to repair, if damaged.

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Sharpening and working with metal involves heat, sparks, and noise. Sometimes faith can involve correction and conviction, a lessening of us and a raising up of God. Verses 5 and 6 remind us that the Lord disciplines those He loves, and we should not grow weary when He does.

Armor of God- Make it Real
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We must ask ourselves, why would Jesus provide us with faith? As broken and sinful people, we cannot conjure up or maintain the faith needed to restore our relationship with God. God instead provides it Himself through His son.

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Isn’t that wonderful news? Our response is to acknowledge it and step out in faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and boasting only in Him who provides us with everything. When we grow weary or despondent, our focus should be on Jesus who knows precisely what we are going through.

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When I compare this to my faith, I recognize that I must continually return to Him for strength to continue the race. Where is the finish line? Since I can’t see into the future, I can only trust Him to guide my steps. And we are exhorted by Scripture to take those steps. James 2:16 warns us of having a dead faith when we do not continue in good works. They are the fruit of trusting in God.

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I hope today you recognize opportunities to take a step of faith in serving Jesus, knowing that even then, He is responsible for your steps in the first place.

Armor of God- End in Prayer
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Thank you, Jesus, for taking on our shame when you deserved none. Thank you for leaving us the Holy Spirit who guides, convicts, and comforts us. I pray that my faith would be strengthened as I go through each day and reminded to not rely on my own strength. You have made each of us with a purpose, and I pray that you will continually reveal it to us.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

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“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” 

Hebrews 12:2

Behind the Scenes

What are we looking to? The writer of Hebrews tells us in the preceding verse to endure the race set before us, looking to Jesus. And why Jesus? Because He is the founder and perfecter of our faith. Please grasp this nugget of truth: your faith is due to Jesus, and He is the One who maintains it with the goal of perfection. Jesus can claim this ground because He willingly endured the cross, carried humanity’s shame, resurrected bodily, and now sits as the rightful heir beside His Father, the Creator of the Universe. 

We all have a race set before us and the writer exhorts us to run it with endurance suggesting this one is a marathon. I have never run a marathon but the steady grind, aching muscles, lack of water and gasping for air are a great picture of what life can feel like sometimes. The finish line can seem a long way off. Verse 3 reminds us to consider Jesus who endured hostility and hatred, so we “may not grow weary”. Jesus is present, taking every step with us, with the goal of getting us to the finish line.  

Jesus is the One who continually molds, upholds, and hones our faith. It reminds me of a sword, drawn from the oven and then shaped into the weapon the forger desires. Yet it isn’t complete until the final stage of honing the edge. The edge must be sharpened and honed frequently to keep its effectiveness and may require the forger’s touch to repair, if damaged.  

Sharpening and working with metal involves heat, sparks, and noise. Sometimes faith can involve correction and conviction, a lessening of us and a raising up of God. Verses 5 and 6 remind us that the Lord disciplines those He loves, and we should not grow weary when He does. 

Make It Real

We must ask ourselves, why would Jesus provide us with faith? As broken and sinful people, we cannot conjure up or maintain the faith needed to restore our relationship with God. God instead provides it Himself through His son.  

Isn’t that wonderful news? Our response is to acknowledge it and step out in faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and boasting only in Him who provides us with everything. When we grow weary or despondent, our focus should be on Jesus who knows precisely what we are going through. 

When I compare this to my faith, I recognize that I must continually return to Him for strength to continue the race. Where is the finish line? Since I can’t see into the future, I can only trust Him to guide my steps. And we are exhorted by Scripture to take those steps. James 2:16 warns us of having a dead faith when we do not continue in good works. They are the fruit of trusting in God.

I hope today you recognize opportunities to take a step of faith in serving Jesus, knowing that even then, He is responsible for your steps in the first place. 

Danny Venhaus

Danny Venhaus

ACF Operations Director

End in Prayer

Thank you, Jesus, for taking on our shame when you deserved none. Thank you for leaving us the Holy Spirit who guides, convicts, and comforts us. I pray that my faith would be strengthened as I go through each day and reminded to not rely on my own strength. You have made each of us with a purpose, and I pray that you will continually reveal it to us.  

In Jesus Name,  

Amen 

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